The cards for Lincoln's Inauguration Ball.
--The Washington papers publish a description of the cards of admission to the inauguration ball, to take place in Washington on the 5th proximo. The olive branch, it seems, has been omitted from Lincoln's Administration in order that it may figure prominently in his ball cards:"The caption consists of the words: 'National Inauguration Ball, March 4, 1865.'Beneath this are medallions interlaced (pinned together with a staff surmounted with a liberty cap) and edged with olive branches. Upon one of the medallions is an excellent portraiture of the President, and upon the other that of the Vice-President elect, inscribed at the bottom of each respectively with the name of their office; and beneath the medallions is a scroll, entwined about the staff, upon which are inscribed the names of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. In the centre of the card below is the blank form of invitation, and the list of managers subscribed thereto.
"Upon either side of the centre piece are two pillars standing upon a base of three steps. The base represents stone, and the three steps are intended to represent the three great struggles of our nation for existence: the Revolution, the lower one, inscribed with the figures '1777-83' the war with Great Britain, '1812-15'; and the present war, '1860-65.' Upon these steps are granite pedestals of rough rock, upon which are erected columns of fasces, strongly bound together with cords, representing the columns of the masses of the people supporting the government of the country. The right-hand column is surmounted by the American eagle, destroying a serpent. The National pendant is entwined about this shaft. Upon the other column is also an eagle, grasping in her talons the usual insignia of the arrows and the olive branch. About this column is entwined a scroll inscribed with the National motto, ' E Pluribus Unum,' and also the words, 'We are one and indissoluble.'
We understand that the engraving has been accepted, and that the cards are now being printed. We also learn that one of them was shown at Mrs. Lincoln's reception yesterday afternoon, and elicited approbation."
